Heidelberg Internet fraudsters arrested

Two Heidelberg women have been arrested for defrauding internet customers of more than R2 million, Gauteng police said on Friday. Internet users bought goods on the site Bid or Buy, but did not receive them, said its operations manager Cuan Akal. He said the women had a good track record as sellers on the site, but started failing to deliver about two weeks ago.

They claimed they had lost their goods in a robbery. Bid or Buy had been unable to contact them since Monday. “We then advised customers to lay charges at the police,” said Akal. “They [the women] are not agents for the company and we never received any money.” “We don’t sell any goods. We only serve as a platform for individuals to sell their goods from,” he said. “Bid or Buy never received any money at all.” The police claim that the women siphoned off money from payments made to Bid or Buy.

Heidelberg police spokesman Tikoane Sonopo said the women, aged 22 and 23, were arrested late on Thursday. “We are getting calls from people all over the country about money that went missing,” said Sonopo. The two women are expected to appear in the Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud on Monday.